CARSON, Calif. – Donovan Ricketts is ecstatic to be back in the nets with the LA Galaxy, says the club is “a special place” that has provided him a “lifeline,” and proclaims that he plans to finish his career in Southern California. That finish, however, won't be any time soon.
The big Jamaican, whom Bruce Arena first brought to LA and MLS six seasons ago, is again the last line of defense for the reigning MLS Cup champions after Panamanian goalkeeper Jaime Penedo, unhappy with this contract and the prospect for a lengthier deal, departed following last month's CONCACAF Gold Cup.
So now, Ricketts is getting back to speed after sitting at Orlando City since mid-May. But he's already pleased the coaching staff with his performances in the Galaxy's 3-1 victories Aug. 1 at Colorado and this past Sunday at StubHub Center over Seattle--and he's having a ball.
“I've always wanted to come back. This place is very special to me,” said Ricketts, who initially left the Galaxy for Montreal in a salary-cap move following the 2011 campaign. He later played a little more than two seasons in Portland, before going to Orlando City with the top pick in last fall's expansion draft.
But the soft spot for the Galaxy always remained. “In the back of my mind, I always wanted to be here," he said. "To come back now, it feels really wonderful.”
Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said Ricketts was a natural target when it became clear that Penedo wanted out. The Jamaican's status as a backup in Florida, after Tally Hall returned from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, made it possible.
Ricketts, age 38, said Arena, with permission from Orlando City brass, talked to him on a Tuesday, signed him on a Wednesday, and had him by Thursday.
“I think he's one of the top goalkeepers in the league,” Arena said. “He's got a lot of experience, he's a calming force in the back, and I think he's a good fit for our team.”
The difference from 2011 is that Ricketts is “four years older,” Arena said, noting that it’s both a plus (experience) and minus (advancing age).
Ricketts made MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in both 2010, with the Galaxy, and 2013, with the Timbers. He started Orlando City's first 10 matches, then saw no time once Hall, who was hurt while with the Houston Dynamo and acquired by Orlando City in trade last October, became ready to play.
“They had their goalkeeper already. They had selected Tally Hall. I guess I was just filling that position until he was ready," Ricketts said. "I kind of expected that move. But at the same time, you're still going to be disappointed because it's not like you're playing badly to get removed from the goal."
Ricketts has been solid with some creaky moments in his two games with LA; Andy Rose nearly scored for Seattle after he dropped an Erik Friburg cross in the second half Sunday. As such, he still needs a little time to be at his best.
“The way we've talked about it is just getting him back sharp again,” said Galaxy goalkeeper coach Matt Reis. “He's a very good player. It's just the finer points. It's the sharpening of the player and making the right decisions and doing the right things.”
Ricketts' save percentage in 2015 is just shy of 62 percent, 19th among MLS goalkeepers who have played 500 minutes. And he himself says he needs to be sharper with his feet – “goalies are required to be like Messis and Ronaldos now,” he quipped – and more cognizant of what's happening on his weak side during opponents' buildups.
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“Matt's been around, he saw me play, so he can see what I'm doing wrong, what I can do better to improve,” Ricketts said. “Because it's all about improving, even when you're this old.”
Ricketts missed much of the latter half of the 2011 season after fracturing a bone in his arm, and sat on the bench during the playoffs as the Galaxy claimed the 2011 MLS Cup crown. Before that, he also left the 2009 final, which LA dropped on penalties to Real Salt Lake, with a hand injury.
Given all of that, he'd like the opportunity to win a title on the field. With the Galaxy's roster following the acquisitions of Steven Gerrard and Giovani Dos Santos, it's certainly possible.
“I think to be on the field in the final and you lift the cup is a wonderful feeling,” Ricketts said. “I got to be a part of the team that won the championship, but to be out there and playing would have been more special, so this time around I want to be in it all the way.”
Ricketts says he'll finish his career with the Galaxy – “I don't think I want to ride any more trains, so this is my last stop” – but isn't yet thinking retirement.
“I don't plan that," he said. "I just keep myself in shape, and when the wings fall off, they fall off.”
